Classic Deep Pizza Pie

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Learn to make this hearty Chicago-style pizza. Start with scratch dough, layer cheese and meaty filling, and bake till golden perfection.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:11:57 GMT
Close-up of deep dish pizza slice being lifted with stretchy cheese, topped with melted cheese and herbs. Save
Close-up of deep dish pizza slice being lifted with stretchy cheese, topped with melted cheese and herbs. | lilicooks.com

The thick, golden-brown exterior meets layers of melty cheese and robust sauce in this Chicago-style delight. When you grab a piece, watch the stretchy cheese pull away, showcasing that perfect combo of hearty filling and crunchy base.

Ultimate Pizza Delight

The mix of buttery dough, gooey cheese, and zesty sauce works pure kitchen magic. It's a great way to spend your Saturday, making something that'll feed everyone while filling your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas.

Ingredients Needed

  • Yeast: 2 ¼ tsp activated dry.
  • Flour: 3 ½ cups regular.
  • Sausage: 1 lb spicy Italian.
  • Tomatoes: 28 oz canned crushed.
  • Mozzarella: 3 ½ cups freshly shredded.
  • Parmesan: 1 ½ cups finely grated.
  • Oil: 1 tbsp extra virgin olive.

Cooking Steps

Dough:
Combine yeast with warm water, add flour and oil, then knead until smooth and let it puff up for 1 hour.
Filling:
Brown sausage with onions and garlic, then pour in tomatoes and seasonings and let it bubble away.
Build:
Stretch dough into your pan, then stack cheese and meat mixture with sauce.
Top:
Sprinkle extra cheese and dots of butter.
Bake:
Heat oven to 425°F, cook for 35 minutes until bubbly and golden, then cool before cutting.
A pepperoni pizza closeup showing melted cheese and herbs with one slice being pulled away, creating a cheese stretch effect. Save
A pepperoni pizza closeup showing melted cheese and herbs with one slice being pulled away, creating a cheese stretch effect. | lilicooks.com

Kitchen Secrets

Don't forget to grease your pan for that extra crispy bottom. Feel free to toss in any veggies you fancy. If you want a thinner crust, just use half the dough.

Recipe FAQs

→ What's the right pan?

Use a 9-inch skillet or deep dish pan with tall sides for best results.

→ Why is cheese first?

It shields the crust from the sauce, keeping it nice and crisp. Standard Chicago trick.

→ Can I prep dough early?

Yes, chill it for up to a day. Let it warm up a bit before you roll it out.

→ Why cook sauce ahead?

It thickens the mixture and amplifies flavors while keeping your crust dry.

→ Avoid a soggy crust?

Pre-bake for a few minutes, use a thicker sauce, and always layer cheese before sauce.

Deep Pizza Pie

Rich, cheesy deep dish loaded with meat sauce and a flaky, golden crust.

Preparation Time
20 min
Cooking Time
40 min
Overall Time
60 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Challenging

Cuisine Type: Italian-American

Output: 6 Serves (1 pizza)

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

01 1 lb Italian sausage.
02 3½ cups flour.
03 1½ cups Parmesan.
04 1½ cups warm water.
05 2 tbsp butter.
06 2 garlic cloves.
07 28 oz crushed tomatoes.
08 1 tsp sugar.
09 2¼ tsp yeast.
10 ½ cup pepperoni.
11 4½ cups mozzarella.
12 1 tbsp olive oil.
13 ½ tsp basil.
14 1 tbsp tomato paste.
15 ½ cup onion.
16 1 tsp oregano.
17 1 tsp salt.

Steps

Step 01

Stir the sugar into warm water, then sprinkle in the yeast. Wait till bubbly.

Step 02

Mix the yeast blend into flour, salt, and oil, combining well.

Step 03

Work the dough for 5 to 7 minutes till smooth.

Step 04

Set the dough aside for about an hour to puff up.

Step 05

Sauté the sausage, garlic, and onion till fragrant and browned.

Step 06

Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, and simmer until thick.

Step 07

Roll the dough out and fit it snugly inside a deep pan.

Step 08

Start with cheese, scoop on the meat sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan.

Step 09

Spread the rest of the cheese over and dot with a bit of butter.

Step 10

Pop into a 425°F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Tips

  1. A deep-dish pan or cast iron works best for this.
  2. Putting cheese on the bottom guards the crust from getting too soft.

Required Tools

  • Cast iron or deep baking pan.
  • Big skillet.
  • A couple of mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Contains wheat.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 700
  • Fats: 38 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Proteins: 32 g